IRVING — A high-contrast scene played out inside the Dallas Cowboys' locker room two days ago at the start of minicamp.

While reporters franticly tried to elicit comments from a defensive back (Mike Jenkins) who reportedly wants to leave the team, another member of the secondary (Brodney Pool) calmly stood in front of his locker discussing his desire to stay in Dallas beyond this season.

Pool recorded a career-high four interceptions playing for Rob Ryan with Cleveland in 2009. Reunited with his favorite defensive coordinator upon signing a one-year, $1.2 million contract with the Cowboys in March, Pool is confident another benchmark season could be within his grasp.

If that happens, the eighth-year strong safety just might land a longer deal.

“Every year I look at it as a great opportunity (to settle down with one team),” said Pool, a Houston Westbury alum who played the last two seasons with the New York Jets after spending his first five with the Browns.

“This year, I have a chance. I'm back with Rob, and I had my best season under him.”

But for Pool to accomplish his goal, he must first fend off a bid for the starting job from third-year player Barry Church.

“I think that's going to be a hell of a competition,” Ryan said.

An undrafted player out of Toledo, Church has been splitting first-team reps with Pool, a Corpus Christi native and former Oklahoma standout drafted in the second round by the Browns in 2005.

Church, who had shoulder surgery late last season, earned solid reviews the last couple of seasons playing special teams and as a linebacker in the nickel-and-dime packages.

The 6-foot-2, 210-pound Pool welcomes the competition.

“That's how I would want it,” said Pool, 28. “I wouldn't want to be given anything. Competition brings out the best.”

Dallas wanted to sign Pool in 2011 during the brief free agency period after the lockout, but financial restrictions prevented it from happening. The Cowboys instead went with Abram Elam, who also played for Ryan in Cleveland and is now with Kansas City.

“I've been with Rob before, so I know what's going on,” Pool said. “He wants his players just to make plays. That's the best thing about playing for him. He's always got your back. He's just a great guy all the way around.”

“He is so athletic,” Henderson said of Pool. “If the ball is in the air, you think he has a chance to get to it. Great ball skills, great range, really loves the game, plays it the right way. I love being around him.”

But Pool's history with Ryan and Henderson wasn't enough for the Cowboys to give him a multi-year deal. Many observers view him as a “stop-gap player,” holding down the job until a better safety emerges in the draft or free agency.

Dallas also drafted a safety, Eastern Washington's Matt Johnson, in the fourth round in April.

“I'm not worried about what people think,” Pool said. “I'm just going to make plays and help this team win. The Super Bowl is my No. 1 focus.”

Said Cowboys coach Jason Garrett: “You'd like to have guys on your team that want to be great regardless of what their contract situation is, and we feel Brodney is one of those guys.”